Inexpensive 4 post lift light solution

my58 · Dec 12, 2012

Many of us who have 4 post lifts have looked for, discussed and tried many products and ways to light up our work area. My lift has turned back the clock for me a little allowing me to continue to enjoy working on vehicles without the pain associated with old age I was feeling from working on a creeper.

Working under a lift solves many of my issues, but the older I get the more light I seem to need to see clearly. I used the halogen lights on a tripod for a while, between blinding me and burning me I gave up on them.

My trusty old fashioned hook light always seemed to be in my way or falling to the ground and killing a bulb.

The fancy Lift Lytes look pretty nice but I just have not been willing to shell out 300 plus dollars for something I am not sure will work.

I finally have a solution! I am calling it my trough light.

This solution was less than 25.00 with a few items I had around my shop. I like many other 4 post lift owners have used the lift to do many things. I have used it to lift a body off a car, I have mounted a electric hoist to a jack platform and used my lift as a gantry to put heavy Items in a truck and remove them out. I have used the lift with my jack platforms as a welding table and for many other things. so with knowing how handy the jack platforms are I thought why not make a jack platform that is hollow and put a light inside of it.

It would allow me to slide the light anywhere I want, It would be able to stay on the lift permanently and it would light my work surface well and not shine any light in my eyes.

So here it is a working light that is inexpensive and easy to use.

I used a recessed plug so the cord is never an issue.

picture without light on

picture with light on

Rickenbackerman · Dec 12, 2012

Oooo... I'm TOTALLY stealing, ehrm, borrowing... that idea! Thanks for sharing.

buzz4041 · Dec 12, 2012

I like the idea and would like to see the view from the top of it looking at the light in the jack tray. What type of light did you use ? I have one observation if I may. Having a female receptacle on it means that you can have a live male plug if it comes out of the socket which is very dangerous for anyone. What if your working under the car and move the tray and the cord is caught yanking the male plug out. You have a serious electrical hazard there. Once that is fixed you have a great idea and safe.

my58 · Dec 12, 2012

buzz4041 said:
I like the idea and would like to see the view from the top of it looking at the light in the jack tray. What type of light did you use

I will try to get some better pics with it mounted and post them later. I used a 2 bulb t8 24 inch long. I got it for 11 bucks being closed out at home depot. It is very bright and has a nice protective lens that will take plenty of abuse.

buzz4041 said:
I have one observation if I may. Having a female receptacle on it means that you can have a live male plug if it comes out of the socket which is very dangerous for anyone. What if your working under the car and move the tray and the cord is caught yanking the male plug out. You have a serious electrical hazard there. Once that is fixed you have a great idea and safe.

No worries on the connector. it is not a live male (see pic below) it is a recessed Male connector. It is very common on road cases and emergency service quick setup equipment. basically you just take an extention cord and plug it directly in. the advantage to it is that once you remove the extention cord there are no cables to deal with. my intent is to always leave the trough lite in the lift with the other jack platforms. when I need light I just grab my power cord and plug it in the light. I have lots of my equipment wired with the recessed connector so when I am not using them they have no cords to deal with.

I appreciate you thinking about my safety, thanks!

DARK AGE 53 · Dec 13, 2012

I'll second more pics needed. Thanks

Matt M PA · Dec 13, 2012

Great idea.....in fact I have a couple lights I bought on clearance I've been looking to use. Anxious to see more pics to borrow this idea and make my own.

my58 · Dec 13, 2012

Matt M said:
Great idea.....in fact I have a couple lights I bought on clearance I've been looking to use. Anxious to see more pics to borrow this idea and make my own.

Just a plain wood box made out of scrap material. (Could be metal or anything else you want)

Drilled a hole for the recessed power plug

Add some paint and drop the light fixture in

Put some "angle metal" on the ends to ride in the jack tray rails on the lift. I added 2 solid sections on each end of the light box cover because I like sitting some tools or sprays on this while I work and wanted workspace not directly on the light cover. That's it quick cheap and works like a charm! Slides everywhere on the lift, stays in tray rails permanently if you like, no need to store it anywhere, it becomes part of the lift.

Since I work on other projects under my lift on my rolling workbench when the car is up I am adding another set of jack tray metal ends on the bottom so I can just flip this over and have the light point down over my workbench under the lift when needed.

This weekend I will finish up the car project I am in the middle of so I can move the car off the lift and I will get good pics of the light in place from above without the car in its way.

46Nash · Dec 13, 2012

Awesome idea! I will be making one of those when I get my lift.

aka Larry · Dec 13, 2012

Awesome idea for a 4-post lift, but I have a 2-post and would like something with a similar function. Anyone with a 2-post have any solutions to share?

torquepower85 · Dec 13, 2012

aka Larry said:
Awesome idea for a 4-post lift, but I have a 2-post and would like something with a similar function. Anyone with a 2-post have any solutions to share?

I've seen a couple of good 2-post lift light solutions

Dannmar mechanic's light (has magnetic bottom)

national electric daisy chain light

you could probably replicate some of these if you DIY it too. :beer:

Matt M PA · Dec 13, 2012

Thanks for the details. I bought a pair of T8 fixtures for under a cabinet, etc that are direct wire. They were on the clearance rack at Lowes for something like $5. I've had them for years and was going to use them in the garage somehow. Now I know what that "somehow" is....thanks.

my58 · Dec 13, 2012

Matt M said:
Thanks for the details. I bought a pair of T8 fixtures for under a cabinet, etc that are direct wire. They were on the clearance rack at Lowes for something like $5. I've had them for years and was going to use them in the garage somehow. Now I know what that "somehow" is....thanks.

Get those lights in a box and start playing! I am sure as more of us use this style of light we will come up with thoughts and improvements. I am already considering adding a power recepticle to allow me to use other electrical Items with just the 1 cord.

I look forward to seeing your build and hearing your thoughts!

VC455 · Dec 13, 2012

If the end tabs were piece of angle iron (like bed rail material)
located in the middle of this side pannel,
could you just flip thw ebox, for light UP or light DOWN.

dladcock · Dec 13, 2012

VC455 said:
If the end tabs were piece of angle iron (like bed rail material)
located in the middle of this side pannel,
could you just flip thw ebox, for light UP or light DOWN.

This ^^^^, what I was thinking!

dla

my58 · Dec 14, 2012

VC455 said:
If the end tabs were piece of angle iron (like bed rail material)
located in the middle of this side pannel,
could you just flip thw ebox, for light UP or light DOWN.

I really like the idea of the bracket in the center however the only problem with that would be the box would then stick up above the ramp height and could be a potential hang up point for a wire or a hose and it would be in the way of drip pans and other items.

I thought about having the bracket hang flush on the jack pad slides like it is now however have the bracket fastend to the center of the box and having it pivot around somehow up or down so it always is equal to the rails but would be able to point up or down. I have yet to come up with a simple realease mechanism for the pivot but this is just version 1. Hopefully with the help of GJ I will have lots of improvements as time goes on.

got2boostit2 · Dec 14, 2012

torquepower85 said:
I've seen a couple of good 2-post lift light solutions

Dannmar mechanic's light (has magnetic bottom)

national electric daisy chain light

you could probably replicate some of these if you DIY it too.

Picture one's lights were $39 shipped for a pair. I really like that light as it can be positioned anywhere and the magnet is very strong.

my58 · Dec 14, 2012

got2boostit2 said:
Picture one's lights were $39 shipped for a pair. I really like that light as it can be positioned anywhere and the magnet is very strong.

Its funny that you posted that from GES. Garage equipment supply in Moorpark CA is one of my favorite vendors. Great customer service.

When I completed my final version of the light I planned on hitting them up for a GES decal to put on it to make it official.

buzz4041 · Dec 16, 2012

my58 said:
Its funny that you posted that from GES. Garage equipment supply in Moorpark CA is one of my favorite vendors. Great customer service.

When I completed my final version of the light I planned on hitting them up for a GES decal to put on it to make it official.

This is what I currently have but will be stealing your idea MY58 and fabbing up one of these. Thanks for the idea.

Coloshaver · Dec 18, 2012

my58 - Cool solution

I have one of these http://www.harborfreight.com/500-watt-dual-head-halogen-shop-light-40123.html. I can set it and point it where ever I need the light. I do need to remember to move it before I lower the lift

my58 · Dec 18, 2012

Sorry I am a few days late , but as promised pics from the top. I worked on a car the entire weekend. I absolutely love the light. It works really well.

Old Moparz · Dec 19, 2012

I think the jack tray light is a great idea. :thumbup:

Lack of good lighting under the lift is definitely an issue for me, too. I'm hoping to get more walls insulated, sheet rocked & painted for more reflective lighting, but the space under the cars is still going to be dark. I'll be making at least one of your lights soon, but will look into those slimmer fixtures.

You might want to consider taking your idea a step further to market it & make some money.

torquepower85 · Dec 19, 2012

my58 said:

Very nice

UPSHIFT · Dec 20, 2012

torquepower85 said:
Very nice

X2

rharman · Dec 20, 2012

my58 said:
I really like the idea of the bracket in the center however the only problem with that would be the box would then stick up above the ramp height and could be a potential hang up point for a wire or a hose and it would be in the way of drip pans and other items.

I thought about having the bracket hang flush on the jack pad slides like it is now however have the bracket fastend to the center of the box and having it pivot around somehow up or down so it always is equal to the rails but would be able to point up or down. I have yet to come up with a simple realease mechanism for the pivot but this is just version 1. Hopefully with the help of GJ I will have lots of improvements as time goes on.

A couple of ideas for the lock/release....

A Bullet Catch: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=145&site=ROCKLER

OR: Hitch Pin

my58 · Dec 20, 2012

Thanks guys. It is so amazing that something so simple and so easy to make helps so much.

I struggled with lighting under the car for so long and tried so many different things and am pissed at myself for waiting so long to put this together. I thought about it for so long but always found a stupid reason for not taking time to build it.

UPSHIFT - I see your in SIMI, do you know of any great stores in Simi or the Conejo Valley or Moorpark (Besides GES) for Tools, car parts or welding materials? I swing by the restore on LA ave occasionally but always think there must be some great places on easy street or elsewhere I should be visiting.

Thanks

my58 · Dec 20, 2012

Roger,

That Bullet Catch is a great idea! I really like that concept. The L bracket stays in the same position and have the light box spin from the center with the a Bullet catch indent on each side of the bracket and the bullet mounted in the side of the box as the holding device.

Basically the box would pivot on a through bolt that is connected to the bracket.

You may have a winner with this one! Thanks for the idea.

TheClaw · Jul 6, 2014

I'm going to revive this old thread because I really need something like this. I have a midrise scissors lift and have struggled to find a good lighting solution.

After a basement remodel, I cannibalized a ceiling fixture and built a box around it. However, it's too big and heavy to be practical.

Here's one from Eastwood but its $90+shipping. Not sure if that's the most economical way about it.

In addition to the OP's idea, have you all seen others that might work well with a scissors lift?

Jeff

ebmiller88 · Jul 9, 2014

Not exactly the same path taken but I used this:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_420866-4392...L=?Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=

with a couple of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WMQFPU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

and I can put light practically anywhere on my lift, posts, ramps, and underneath.

Ed

Falcon67 · Jul 9, 2014

Something else to consider
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10PCS-Super...Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f39363774&vxp=mtr

These bitty 40x60 mm LED panels are cheap and really bright. I replaced two GE 1004 12V bulbs in our race trailer with 4 of these and they are 10+x brighter. You'd need a wall wart to power them, but 6 or 8 spread out on a board or glued to a magnetic sheet would give out a lot of light. Two of them in parallel pull .2A @ 12V.

Jazzman442 · Apr 28, 2015

Any more Ideas on Lighting under a lift?

2nrguy · Apr 28, 2015

I have an idea, use the above light box idea with the LED packs. Here's the kicker, since it's using the LED lights you could use a 12V battery pack from a cordless drill for power. No cords to haggle with, trip over, look for a place to hang. The other idea have to make it be a more out of the way light would be to make it a rotatable affair by using the parts from a directional fans(going to try and get up a pic or 2of the type of fan I'm talking about).

Let me know what you think.

bobabuee · Apr 28, 2015

using led panels or ebay led roll light strips idea you can use 12v power supply from home computer and mount inside the box with cutout for cooling fan.

one other idea to use with both fluorescent led is to add mirror reflectors or mirrored vinyl to throw more light out the box inside box.

the recharge 12 volt battery is nice no cords but how many of us remember to charge our drill batteries.

as for rotating easy get something like this: on both sides of box:

2nrguy · Apr 29, 2015

The fans I'm talking about are made by Honeywell. They are the 9-10in tabletop models that I know are sold at target. They have 5 positions that the fan can be placed in from straight foward to a 90straight up. I have one right next to me that I can't get the pics from my iPad to the site without a web site. Might have to try tap talk as Ive seen a few members post pics from there.

Inexpensive 4 post lift light solution

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